CMMNJ Seeks SEEF Grant from NJ CRC

 

The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey, Inc. (CMMNJ) is seeking SEEF funding of $10,000 to $25,000 to pursue its ongoing goals in 2026.

In 2023, on our 20th anniversary, CMMNJ received a Joint Legislative Resolution from the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly that affirmed our organization's “importance as a catalyst for the legalization of both medical and recreational marijuana in this state.” The Resolution notes that CMMNJ has conducted a “comprehensive public campaign, rallying supporters to its cause through editorials and petitions, education and outreach initiatives, and civic activism.”

However, as we continue our civic activism, donations to our organization have decreased significantly.

There are still countless patients in New Jersey who qualify for medicinal cannabis, but who lack safe, legal, and affordable access to this therapeutic agent. This is why CMMNJ supports the following goals, which will greatly help patients, the inner cities, and greatly expand the cannabis industry in New Jersey:

•        insurance coverage;

•        hospital & institutional access;

•        home cultivation rights;

•        expanded qualifying conditions; and,

•        access to other plant medicine.

Insurance coverage: When passed into law, the insurance bills will exponentially increase the number of patients who can use medicinal cannabis. These bills will make the medical benefits of cannabis available to many residents who were either born into poverty, or who were impoverished by their illnesses or injuries. Greater access to cannabis therapy will result in fewer hospitalizations, fewer surgical procedures, and fewer emergency room visits. Insurance coverage will lower healthcare costs and will produce a healthier New Jersey. A healthier inner city, where most poverty is in New Jersey, is an inner city that is poised for economic progress.

Hospital & institutional access: Patients in New Jersey’s hospitals, nursing homes, state institutions, group homes and hospice are unable to use medicinal cannabis. But access to this therapeutic modality should certainly be permitted in these facilities because it is inappropriate and potentially dangerous to stop patients from using their physician-recommended therapy when they enter an institution.

Home cultivation rights: New Jersey has a medical cannabis program that does not allow patients to grow their own. Growing one cannabis plant in New Jersey is a crime that can carry time in prison and a significant fine and other costs. Allowing  patients to grow a small number of plants, or a reasonably sized area of cultivation, is extremely important. Moreover, the small percentage of home growers (estimated to be less than 10% of medicinal cannabis patients), in a tightly regulated program, promises to have little impact on the overall cannabis industry.

Expanded qualifying conditions: Allow anyone with prescriptive privileges in New Jersey, and an office in New Jersey, to recommend cannabis therapy for ANY condition that the prescriber feels may be helped by medical cannabis. Leave this issue up to the physician, the Advanced Practice Nurse, or the Physician’s Assistant to act in the best interest of the patient.

Access to other plant medicine: CMMNJ supports New Jersey's "Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Services Act."

Ongoing outreach and dialogue with lawmakers, the public, and regulatory bodies is essential to ensure that future policy decisions reflect the evolving needs of patients and the broader community. Funding grants and donations to our 501(c)(3) organization will help to educate more residents and lawmakers about the importance of achieving these goals. CMMNJ is seeking SEEF funding of $10,000 to $25,000 for 2026. Thank you for your consideration.